Our five winning Manspiration 2016 essays: we thank you for being top male role models!

For Brovember, Young Post asked our readers to tell us about a man who inspires them. This could be their father, brother, uncle, teacher, or even someone they’ve never met, like US President Barack Obama or Canto-pop musician Eason Chan. Here are some extracts from the five winning entries, in their own words.

Why should I choose a fictional superhero as a role model when my father blessed my life disguised as one? He was, is and always will be my biggest inspiration and support system! ... He’s a reflection of what I’d like to be one day – selfless, humble and giving. Nothing can replace the love and affection my father gives me. I LOVE YOU DAD!

Saba Iftkhar, 16, St Margaret’s Girls’ College

He doesn't always say it, but he loves me

My granddad is not someone who speaks often. But when he grunts at you that your shoelaces are untied, or that he’s cut up some apples in the kitchen, you know in his chest there beats a loving heart. And for that reason, he is a man that I respect very much.

People say a mother’s love is incomparable, and as much as I feel that immense love from my mother, I have never sensed my father’s love being any less than hers.

For someone who spent half his life in Nepal, where gender inequality is severe to this day, my father has done an excellent job in empowering me to believe that I am just as capable as and equal to any man on this planet. He did – and still does – just as much cooking and cleaning as my mum did, and even braiding my hair.

Phagami Merina , 17, HKMA David Li Kwok Po College

A man I strive to be

Arsène Wenger is the most successful manager of my beloved football club, and he displays not only full commitment to his club but also great determination.

"If you do not believe you can do it, then you have no chance at all." This is one of his quotes, and also my motto. Arsène, thank you for being my inspiration.

Michael Leung Ho-lun, 16, Sing Yin Secondary School

Thank you, dad

My dad is my mentor and friend - God knows how many sleepless nights he's spent working around the clock for me, and I’m certainly glad I don’t have to hunt cockroaches in the dirt because of his efforts.

I appreciate my father’s tough journey and use it as motivation to power my own path and the future paths of my little sister and baby brother.